Envelop-moistener.



PATENTED JULY 9, 190-2.

J. A. m: VILBIss. ENVBLOP MOISTENBR.

APPLIUA 'IIOI FILED J'AIJ, 1N1- mmflgawmm By WW awa (my;

clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use F, sr. LOUIS, mesons HARBAUGBI, or s1. LOUISMISSOU I .nn'vniior-moirsfrniinn.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed January 9,1907- Serial No. 361.528.

the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view'oi a device embodying 1 the features of my invention; Fig. '2 is a top plan view of a portion of the device withthe pressing member that co-operates with the moistening member removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, the pressing member 5"being shown in operative position; and Fig. 4 is a sectionalview taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, the pressing member 5 also being shown in the view. r i I This invention relates to devices for moistening the adhesive on envelop flaps andsimi lar articles;

r The object of my invention is to provide a device of simple construction having'means for opening the flap of the envelop, and means for -guiding the flap to the member which ,moistens the adhesive thereon.

Another object of my invention is toprovide a device of the character described having a yielding presser that co operates with the moistening member;

Referring to the drawings which represent the pre-' block may be formed'hollowinstead' of providing a separate chamber atone end thereof;

The upper wall of the water chamber is so formed that two parallel supports or bars 3 are arranged above the water chamber, and over these bars vivicks 4,

. down into the water chamber. and are kept moist by or other suitable material, are mounted which extend capillary attraction. These wicks 4 constitute the moistening member, and co-operating therewith is a pressing member 5, preferably formed of yielding material, and providediwith a rib 6 arranged in alinement with the opening between the two bats 3, as shown in Fig. The openings in the upper-face of the block through which said wicks extend, are tapered or beveled inwardly at 3, as shown in Fig. 2', so as to prevent i Patented July 9, 1907.

1 for securing said pressing member in position. The

water chamber 2 is filled through an opening in the upper face of the block which is closed by a stopper or cork 9. A sharp corner 10 extends along the upper rear edge of the block 1, and adjacent this corner the top face of the block is hollowed out or curved slightly at 11, as shown in Fig. 1, for a purpose hereinafter to be described. 'A guiding rib 12 extends diagonally across the upper face of the'block and terminates adjacent the moistening member.

To use the device, a person takes an envelop with its flap closed and draws it transverselyin the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, across the upper face of the block 1, the sharp corner 10 at the upper rear edge of the block engaging the flap of'the envelop and thus causing it to be straigh'tened out as the envelop continues to move over the upper face of the block, the hollowedout portion 11 )permitting the envelop to be pressed downwardly a slight distance so as to aid the corner 10 .to straighten out the flap. When the edge oi the flap reaches the inclined guide 12 the envelop is moved longitudinally of the block and this guide 12 causes the flap to pass between .the moistening memberand the yielding presser which 'co-operates therewith, thereb'y moistening the adhesive on the underneath A device of this character not only dispenses with the. necessity of a separate operation for opening the flap of the envelop, this being accomplished by the same movement which carries the flap onto the moistening device, but also presents a neatiand ornamental I appearance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.'A device of the character described, comprising a member provided with moistening means and with an inclined guide) adaptedto cooperate with the edge ofthe flap of the envelop to guide it to themoistening means; substan'tlaily as described. v

2. A device of the character described, comprising a member provided with moistenlng means, a yielding presses co-operating with said means, a flange on said presser, and a rib on the upper face of said memberover which said flange extends; substantially as described.

8., A device of the character described, comprising a rectangular-shaped block provided adjacent one end there- 'of with 'molstening means, and a guiding rib extending diagonall across the upper face of said block and terminating adjacent said moistening means; substantially as described. p

4./A=" device of the characte r l described, comprising a rectangularshaped block, the upper face of which is hollowed out adjacent the rear edge of the block, a diagonally extending guide on the upper'tace oi! the block, ands. I clined guide on the upper face of said block adapted to comoistening member at the end of said guide; substantiallyas described.

5 .A device of the character described, comprising a block provided with a water chamber and with an opening through which said chamber is filled, the top wall of said chamber being provided with an opening across which a parallel bar extends, a meistening member mounted on said bar and extending down into the water chamber, a presser 10 co-operatlng with said moistening member, and an inoperate with the edge of the flapof the envelop to guide it to said moistening member; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atfix' my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this fifth day of January 15 7 JOHN A. DE VILBISS.

Witnesses:

WELLS L. CHURCH,

' GEORGE BAKEWELL. 

